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The Quarterly Journal of Nuclear... Jun 2021Hyperthyroidism is a clinical condition characterized by inappropriately high synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. It has multiple... (Review)
Review
Hyperthyroidism is a clinical condition characterized by inappropriately high synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. It has multiple aetiologies, manifestations and potential therapies. Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism, due to the production of autoantibodies against thyrotropin receptor, capable of over-stimulating thyroid function. A reliable diagnosis of hyperthyroidism can be established on clinical grounds, followed by the evaluation of serum thyroid function tests (thyrotropin first and then free thyroxine, adding the measurement of free triiodothyronine in selected specific situations). The recent guidelines of both the American and European Thyroid Associations have strongly recommended the measurement of thyrotropin receptor autoantibodies for the accurate diagnosis and management of Graves' disease. If autoantibody test is negative, a radioiodine uptake should be performed. Considering the most recent laboratory improvements, binding assays can be considered the best first solution for the measurement of thyrotropin receptor autoantibodies in diagnosis and management of overt cases of Graves' disease. In fact, they have a satisfactory clinical sensitivity and specificity (97.4% and 99.2%, respectively) being performed in clinical laboratories on automated platforms together with the other thyroid function tests. In this setting, the bioassays should be reserved for fine and complex diagnoses and for particular clinical conditions where it is essential to document the transition from stimulating to blocking activity or vice versa (e.g. pregnancy and post-partum, related thyroid eye disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis with extrathyroidal manifestations, unusual cases after LT4 therapy for hypothyroidism or after antithyroid drug treatment for Graves' disease). Undoubtedly, technological advances will help improve laboratory diagnostics of hyperthyroidism. Nevertheless, despite future progress, the dialogue between clinicians and laboratory will continue to be crucial for an adequate knowledge and interpretation of the laboratory tests and, therefore, for an accurate diagnosis and correct management of the patient.
Topics: Animals; Antithyroid Agents; Autoantibodies; Biosensing Techniques; Cell Line; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Iodine Radioisotopes; Protein Binding; Receptors, Thyrotropin; Sensitivity and Specificity; Thyroid Gland
PubMed: 33565846
DOI: 10.23736/S1824-4785.21.03344-6 -
Nutrients May 2022Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and a pivotal role in thyroid metabolism. Ensuring a sufficient Se supply... (Review)
Review
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and a pivotal role in thyroid metabolism. Ensuring a sufficient Se supply is possible via a balanced, wholesome diet; however, Se content in foods may be different throughout geographical areas. Se supplementation is expected to improve inflammatory status in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, especially in those with high activity, and has been demonstrated as effective in reducing the thyroid peroxidase antibodies titer. Se status seems to affect thyroid function in pregnancy, which prompts the potential role of Se supplementation in such patients. Few clinical trials have investigated the effectiveness of Se supplementation in pregnant women with thyroiditis, and their results suggest the safety and effectiveness of this element in reducing autoantibody levels and preventing postpartum thyroiditis development, although limited. Hence, more robust evidence is needed to confirm these data. The current study aims to summarize published data on the relationship between Se and thyroid status in pregnant women with thyroiditis and the potential use of Se. Moreover, an algorithm for Se supplementation is proposed for pregnant women with thyroiditis to help endocrinologists in daily clinical practice to consider Se status.
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Female; Hashimoto Disease; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Selenium; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune
PubMed: 35684035
DOI: 10.3390/nu14112234 -
European Journal of Endocrinology Aug 2023Postpartum depression (PPD) has a major impact on maternal and offspring well-being, with multiple possible risk factors: Studies on the association of thyroid... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Association of gestational thyroid function and thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity with postpartum depression: a prospective cohort study and systematic literature review with meta-analysis.
IMPORTANCE
Postpartum depression (PPD) has a major impact on maternal and offspring well-being, with multiple possible risk factors: Studies on the association of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) positivity and thyroid function with PPD provide heterogeneous results.
OBJECTIVE
To study the association of thyroid function and TPOAb positivity with PPD.
DESIGN
We assessed the association of TPOAb and thyroid function with PPD in a population-based prospective cohort study and performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
We measured thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and TPOAb between 9- and 17-week gestation. Postpartum depression was assessed with Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale at 2-month postpartum and Brief Symptom Inventory at 2-, 6-, and 36-month postpartum. Additionally, we performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis assessing this association.
RESULTS
In the present study, there was no association of thyroid function with PPD (TSH: odds ratio [OR] 0.83, 95% CI 0.58-1.19, P = .32; FT4: OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.95-1.05, P = .86) or TPOAb positivity with PPD (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.47-1.33, P = .37). An impaired thyroidal response to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a surrogate marker for TPOAb positivity, was associated with a lower risk of PPD (P for interaction TSH = 0.04; FT4 = 0.06). Our systematic review and meta-analysis included 3 articles that were combined with the present study. There was no statistically significant association of TPOAb positivity with PPD (OR 1.93, 95% CI 0.91-4.10, P = .08), but the results were heterogeneous (I2 = 79%).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
There was no significant association of TPOAb positivity, TSH, or FT4 with PPD. Our systematic review and meta-analysis revealed high heterogeneity of the current literature. Although TPOAb-positive women should be monitored for postpartum thyroiditis, our findings do not support routinely screening for PPD.
Topics: Female; Humans; Thyroid Gland; Iodide Peroxidase; Prospective Studies; Depression, Postpartum; Autoantibodies; Thyrotropin; Thyroxine
PubMed: 37486224
DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvad092 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2020Postpartum thyroiditis (PPT) has a prevalence of 1-22%, with an ~50% rate of evolution into permanent hypothyroidism (PH). PPT risk is assessed by measuring serum...
Postpartum thyroiditis (PPT) has a prevalence of 1-22%, with an ~50% rate of evolution into permanent hypothyroidism (PH). PPT risk is assessed by measuring serum thyroid antibodies during gestation, as 1/3-1/2 of Ab+ve pregnant women will develop PPT. Family and personal history positive for autoimmune non-thyroid diseases (AINTDT), and consumption of swordfish increases while consumption of small oily fish decreases the risk of PPT. Monitoring thyroid function in a very high-risk subgroup avoids the costs of the Ab-based universal screening. We aimed at identifying such subgroup in 412 women followed from week 7-11 of gestation to month 12 postpartum. At study entry, we measured serum TPOAb, TgAb, TSH, FT4, FT3, and evaluated seafood consumption, familial history for thyroid diseases and AINTD, and personal history for AINTD. We measured TSH, FT4, FT3 at 1.5, 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum. PPT occurred in 63 women (15.3%), and PH in 34/63 (54%). Based on positivity/negativity for the three histories, women were classified into 8 categories, with PPT rates of 3.8-100%. Seafood consumption allowed further separation of subgroups having different PPT risks. We considered 11 possible strategies, termed [a] through [k]. Strategy [a] consisted in omitting gestational screening, while performing universal postpartum monitoring with TSH and one thyroid hormone; strategy [k] consisted in selective gestational screening with TPOAb and TgAb, based on history and fish consumption, and selective postpartum monitoring in TPOAb and/or TgAb+ve women. The 100% sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of strategy [a] were counterbalanced by the highest costs (Euro 32,960 or 523 per each PPT caught). The corresponding numbers for strategy [k] were 78, 95, 93%, and Euro 8,920 or 182/PPT caught. These savings stem from gestational screening being done in 186 women, and postpartum monitoring done in 65/186 women. One gestational screning-free strategy was the cheapest (Euro 2,080 or 83/PPT caught), because based on postpartum monitoring of only 26 women, but had the lowest sensitivity (40%). Identification of pregnant women having different risks for PPT is feasible, with the costless evaluation of history and seafood consumption driving gestational screening of thyroid antibody status and postpartum monitoring of thyroid function.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Autoantibodies; Biomarkers; Cohort Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Postpartum Thyroiditis; Pregnancy; Prenatal Diagnosis; Prognosis; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune; Young Adult
PubMed: 32362873
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00220 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2021SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is currently a tremendous global health problem. COVID-19 causes considerable damage to a wide range of vital organs most prominently the... (Review)
Review
SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is currently a tremendous global health problem. COVID-19 causes considerable damage to a wide range of vital organs most prominently the respiratory system. Recently, clinical evidence for thyroidal insults during and after COVID-19 has been accumulated. As of today, almost all non-neoplastic thyroid diseases, i.e., Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, subacute, painless and postpartum thyroiditis, have been reported as a complication of COVID-19, and causality by the virus has been strongly implicated in all of them. Similar thyroid problems have been reported in the past with the SARS-CoV outbreak in 2002. In this review, we briefly look back at the reported evidence of alteration in thyroid functionality and thyroid diseases associated with SARS-CoV and then proceed to examine the issue with COVID-19 in detail, which is then followed by an in-depth discussion regarding a pathogenetic link between Coronavirus infection and thyroid disease.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Thyroid Diseases; Thyroid Gland
PubMed: 34276567
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.708333 -
Journal of Clinical & Translational... Dec 2016Thyroid dysfunction is the commonest endocrine disorder in pregnancy apart from diabetes. Thyroid hormones are essential for fetal brain development in the embryonic... (Review)
Review
Thyroid dysfunction is the commonest endocrine disorder in pregnancy apart from diabetes. Thyroid hormones are essential for fetal brain development in the embryonic phase. Maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy may have significant adverse maternal and fetal outcomes such as preterm delivery, preeclampsia, miscarriage and low birth weight. In this review we discuss the effect of thyroid disease on pregnancy and the current evidence on the management of different thyroid conditions in pregnancy and postpartum to improve fetal and neonatal outcomes, with special reference to existing guidelines on the topic which we dissect, critique and compare with each other. Overt hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism should be treated appropriately in pregnancy, aiming to maintain euthyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroidism is often pragmatically treated with levothyroxine, although it has not been definitively proven whether this alters maternal or fetal outcomes. Subclinical hyperthyroidism does not usually require treatment and the possibility of non-thyroidal illness or gestational thyrotoxicosis should be considered. Autoimmune thyroid diseases tend to improve during pregnancy but commonly flare-up or emerge in the post-partum period. Accordingly, thyroid auto-antibodies tend to decrease with pregnancy progression. Postpartum thyroiditis should be managed based on the clinical symptoms rather than abnormal biochemical results.
PubMed: 29067240
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcte.2016.11.001 -
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism... Jul 2021Hypothyroidism occurring in the postpartum period can be due to pituitary or hypothalamic disease as in Sheehan's syndrome and postpartum autoimmune hypophysitis or due...
SUMMARY
Hypothyroidism occurring in the postpartum period can be due to pituitary or hypothalamic disease as in Sheehan's syndrome and postpartum autoimmune hypophysitis or due to a primary thyroid disease as in postpartum thyroiditis. It is important that the correct diagnosis is ascertained because hypothalamic or pituitary disorders are often associated with other pituitary hormone deficiencies, especially life-threatening adrenal insufficiency or adrenal crisis. A combination of various symptoms and biochemical markers, especially serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels dictate the initial diagnostic pathway. We present a case of a woman who presented with a 2-month history of tiredness and neck discomfort following delivery. A thyroid function test demonstrated results, which we initially interpreted as central hypothyroidism. Follow-up results indicated that this was in fact the transition period between the thyrotoxic phase and hypothyroid phases of postpartum thyroiditis. This case highlights the potential for diagnostic confusion between central hypothyroidism and postpartum thyroiditis.
LEARNING POINTS
Postpartum thyroiditis affects one in twenty mothers within 12 months of delivery. The majority of patients have transient thyrotoxicosis only, some have transient hypothyroidism only, and the rest has a triphasic pattern (thyrotoxic, hypothyroid then a euthyroid phase). During the transition from the thyrotoxic phase to hypothyroid phase, when serum TSH is still suppressed, the biochemical results can resemble that of central hypothyroidism. If central hypothyroidism is suspected, then urgent diagnostic investigations should be carried out along with the assessment of adrenal function. There is a potential for diagnostic confusion between postpartum central hypothyroidism and postpartum thyroiditis; however, the obstetric history, clinical symptoms, and signs (headaches, breastfeeding, goitre, etc.) and serum adrenocorticotropic levels should help with the differential diagnosis.
PubMed: 34280894
DOI: 10.1530/EDM-21-0069 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2015During pregnancy, the thyroid gland must produce 50% more thyroid hormone to maintain the euthyroid state. Women with decreased thyroid reserve preconception, most... (Review)
Review
During pregnancy, the thyroid gland must produce 50% more thyroid hormone to maintain the euthyroid state. Women with decreased thyroid reserve preconception, most typically due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, may develop hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Data over the last 20 years have reported a strong association between subclinical hypothyroidism and adverse maternal/fetal events. As a result of this association, an increasing number of women are being screened for thyroid disease either preconception or at the first prenatal visit. Consequently, an ever increasing number of women are being initiated on levothyroxine for the first time during pregnancy. At present, there are very limited guidelines related to the management of the thyroid disease in these women postpartum. Based on an understanding of the physiology of the thyroid gland during pregnancy and postpartum, and the personal clinical experience of the author, recommendations for the postpartum management of women who were started on levothyroxine during pregnancy are presented.
PubMed: 26648909
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2015.00183 -
European Review For Medical and... 2015Thyroid disease is the second most common endocrine condition in women of childbearing age. Thyroid hormones are involved in control of menstrual cycle and in achieving... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Thyroid disease is the second most common endocrine condition in women of childbearing age. Thyroid hormones are involved in control of menstrual cycle and in achieving fertility affecting the actions of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone on steroid biosynthesis by specific triiodothyronine sites on oocytes; therefore, affect all aspects of reproduction. It remains controversial if pregnant women should be screened for thyroid dysfunction. Purpose of this review was to examine recent studies on the assessment of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy, its treatment and newly perspective of thyroid autoimmunity in pregnant euthyroid women in achieving fertility.
METHODS
An electronic search was conducted using the internet medical databases: Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, and the Cochrane library.
RESULTS
Thyroid gland faces great challenge in pregnancy when many hormonal changes occur. Precondition for normal follicular development and ovulation is pulsate gonadothropin realizing hormone secretion. Thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy is classified as forms of hypothyroidism (positivity of thyroid autoantibody, isolated hypothyroidism, and subclinical or overt hypothyroidism), hyperthyroidism, and autoimmune disease, but also thyroid nodules and cancer, iodine insufficiency and postpartum thyroiditis. These conditions can cause adverse effects on mother and fetus including pregnancy loss, gestational hypertension, or pre-eclampsia, pre-term delivery, low birth weight, placental abruption and postpartum hemorrhage. There is an evidence that thyroid autoimmunity, in thyroid dysfunction adversely affects conception and pregnancy outcomes, but it is unclear what impact has isolated eumetabolic thyroid autoimmunity in achieving fertility, especially in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Treatment of euthyroid pregnant women with positive thyroid peroxides antibodies is still controverse, but not few studies show that levothyroxine substitution is able to lower the chance of miscarriage and premature delivery.
CONCLUSIONS
Further randomized trials are needed to expand our knowledge of physiologic changes in thyroid function during the pregnancy and to reveal mechanisms by which thyroid autoimmunity in euthyroid women affect fertility, especially the success of assisted reproductive technology in achieving the same and validity of levothyroxine administration in thyroid autoimmunity positive women.
Topics: Adult; Autoimmune Diseases; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Infertility, Female; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Thyroid Diseases
PubMed: 25855922
DOI: No ID Found -
Nutrients Sep 2020Vitamin D is a steroid hormone traditionally connected to phosphocalcium metabolism. The discovery of pleiotropic expression of its receptor and of the enzymes involved... (Review)
Review
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone traditionally connected to phosphocalcium metabolism. The discovery of pleiotropic expression of its receptor and of the enzymes involved in its metabolism has led to the exploration of the other roles of this vitamin. The influence of vitamin D on autoimmune disease-namely, on autoimmune thyroid disease-has been widely studied. Most of the existing data support a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and a greater tendency for development and/or higher titers of antibodies linked to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, and/or postpartum thyroiditis. However, there have also been some reports contradicting such relationships, thus making it difficult to establish a unanimous conclusion. Even if the existence of an association between vitamin D and autoimmune thyroid disease is assumed, it is still unclear whether it reflects a pathological mechanism, a causal relationship, or a consequence of the autoimmune process. The relationship between vitamin D's polymorphisms and this group of diseases has also been the subject of study, often with divergent results. This text presents a review of the recent literature on the relationship between vitamin D and autoimmune thyroid disease, providing an analysis of the likely involved mechanisms. Our thesis is that, due to its immunoregulatory role, vitamin D plays a minor role in conjunction with myriad other factors. In some cases, a vicious cycle is generated, thus contributing to the deficiency and aggravating the autoimmune process.
Topics: Graves Disease; Humans; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins
PubMed: 32933065
DOI: 10.3390/nu12092791